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Following is a question by the Dr Hon Raymond Ho and a reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, in the Legislative Council meeting today (December 13) :
Question:
When heavy goods vehicles transport goods longer or wider than their goods compartments (such as iron poles, bamboo poles or heavy works machinery), such goods need to be placed at a slanting angle in the goods compartments or to overhang the vehicles and they can only be fastened with makeshift methods. This is dangerous, especially when these vehicles are travelling on steep roads. Such ways of loading vehicles pose hazards to other road users, and have caused traffic accidents. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the respective numbers of accidents which involved heavy goods vehicles transporting goods longer or wider than their goods compartments and the casualties resulted in each of the past two years;
(b) whether it has reviewed if the existing regulation on loading of vehicles is adequate and if there is a need to strengthen such regulation; if it has, of the results of the review; and
(c) whether it will consider stipulating that when heavy or huge goods are being transported, suitable goods vehicles (such as those with goods compartments longer and wider than the goods) must be used and that the goods must be fastened with proper and not makeshift methods, so as to minimise the hazards caused to other road users?
Reply:
Madam President,
In 2004 and 2005, there were two and one traffic accidents respectively involving heavy goods vehicles transporting loads of excess weight, insecure loads, or overhanging loads of excess length or width. The accidents involved two casualties each year. As regards the current year, by the end of November, no such accident has been recorded.
Currently, loading of vehicles is governed by the Road Traffic (Traffic Control) Regulations (Cap. 374G):
(a) Regulation 54 provides that unless holding an appropriate permit, a driver shall ensure that the load of the vehicle shall not exceed the gross vehicle weight assigned by its vehicle licence.
(b) Regulation 55 provides that unless holding an appropriate permit, a driver shall ensure that the load of the vehicle does not extend more than 1.5 metres beyond the front, or more than 1.4 metres beyond the rear of the vehicle, or that the total width of the vehicle and load is not more than 2.5 metres, or that the total height of the vehicle and load is not more than 4.6 metres.
(c) Regulation 56 provides that a vehicle with an overhanging load shall carry a red flag of an area not less than 1 square metre at the rear of the load. At night time or in poor visibility conditions, the vehicle must carry a white light at each side of the foremost part of the load and a red light at the rearmost part of the load.
(d) Regulation 57 provides that a driver shall ensure that the load is secured to and contained on the vehicle.
(e) Regulation 58 provides that a driver shall ensure that the vehicle is used for suitable purposes, and the weight, distribution packing and adjustment of the load shall not cause danger to any person or cause damage to the road or to public or private property.
Any person who contravenes the above regulations without reasonable excuses commits an offence and is liable to a fine of $5,000 and imprisonment for three months on first conviction and a fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for six months on second and subsequent convictions.
The above regulations have clearly stipulated the requirements relating to transportation of goods, including the restrictions on the weight and extensions beyond the vehicle, the need to securely fasten the loads and the requirement that the vehicle should be used for suitable purposes. The Police have also been taking active enforcement actions in regard to these requirements on vehicle loads.
In addition, the Transport Department has published the Code of Practice for the Loading of Vehicles in accordance with the regulations to help members of the goods vehicles industry understand the regulations and their responsibilities in transporting goods in a safe manner. The Code of Practice provides guidance on the use of appropriate vehicles for transporting goods, and sets out in detail the proper means to transport goods safely, including goods that are heavy or relatively long or wide such as iron poles, bamboo poles and works machinery.
We will also strengthen publicity and education for the trade and continue to closely monitor the relevant traffic accident and prosecution situations, and will review the relevant legislation if necessary.
Ends/Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Issued at HKT 14:45
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